Tanzania: Serengeti to Zanzibar

Deposit Information:

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking. Your deposit is CAD $750.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready:

• Tour Name and Departure Date Desired
• Traveler Name(s):  Please have first and last names as they appear on the passport or driver's license.
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)
• Emergency Contact Information: This would be a relative or friend whom we could contact during the tour in the event of an emergency. Please provide their name and phone number(s).
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection product (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares.

Regarding your final payment:

Final Payment is due to Tauck 90 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Effective for plans purchased as of August 2025:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation – If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
  
  
• Trip Interruption – If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
  
  
• Travel Delay – Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
  
  
• Medical Expense – Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
  
  
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection – Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services – Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection (CAD) is:

$425 per person – Costa Rica: Jungles & Rainforests; Mystical Peru

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of August 2025, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties. 

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost. 

Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Fee Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit http://www.affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in costly penalties and fees from hotel, ship operators and other travel providers.  Therefore, a cancellation will result in a fee that increases as the days until departure shorten.  Tauck's Guest Protection Plan provides you with protection that reduces these fees as outlined below.

 

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Guests choosing to purchase Tauck's Guest Protection will incur the loss of  the Guest Protection fee, per person.

 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

90 days or more before departure   =          Loss of Deposit, per person.

89-30 days before departure              =          Loss of 15% of cost of tour, not including air (if applicable) per person 

29-1 days before departure                =          Loss of 25% of cost of tour, not including air (if applicable) per person 

 
Tour Interruption Fees

If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund for the unused land portion if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of $40 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.

Partial Room Cancellation

A person who cancels or leaves a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged to the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

 
In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Included in the price of your tour:

All hotel accommodations, special dinners, safari expenses and adventures, local guides, entertainment, land transportation, luggage handling, admission fees, and the services of hotel and restaurant staff, local guides and drivers, and the Tauck Director are included.

All appropriate gratuities for camp staff, guides and drivers are included in the cost of the program. 

Transfers: Transportation from Kilimanjaro International Airport to the Tauck hotel is included, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least three weeks prior to the start of your tour. If you do not provide your flight arrival information at least three weeks prior to the tour departure date, or choose to transfer on your own, you are responsible for arranging and paying for your own transportation to the hotel specified on your itinerary, which currently costs approximately $150 USD per vehicle. If you are delayed, and arrive in Tanzania after the group has left Arusha, you will require a transfer to meet up with the group at the hotel specified on your itinerary. This transfer can be arranged by contacting Kearsleys directly. Please note that this transfer is the responsibility of the guests traveling and, therefore, must be paid directly to Kearsleys at time of transfer. Cost is approximately USD $500 per vehicle. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.

On-Tour Flights: One on-tour flight is included as part of your tour package.

Not included in the price of your tour:

Gratuities to your Tauck Director are not included.

Airfare: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) on My Account.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

Vaccinations:

Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country.  These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

For the most up-to-date vaccination and health information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the embassies of the countries you will be visiting. These sources provide details on required vaccinations, recommended immunizations, and other potential health considerations.

We strongly encourage you to consult your personal physician at least four to six weeks prior to departure to review any required or recommended vaccinations, as some require time to become fully effective. Be sure to obtain written proof of any required immunizations and carry this documentation with your travel documents in your carry-on luggage.

Compliance with all vaccination and entry requirements is the responsibility of the traveler. Failure to obtain proper vaccinations or documentation may result in denied entry or quarantine, and Tauck cannot be responsible for any related expenses or travel disruptions.

Information regarding the Yellow Fever Vaccination:

Although Yellow Fever vaccination is not a Tauck requirement, guests are strongly advised to bring proof of vaccination or, if unable to receive the vaccine, a doctor's note explaining the reason. Please be aware that vaccination requirements can change, so staying up to date is essential. If you have been vaccinated, please bring your proof of vaccination, which can usually be obtained from your physician. If you cannot receive the vaccine due to age, medical conditions, or other reasons, please bring a medical exemption letter from your doctor explaining why the vaccine was not administered. 

Mobility on tour:

This safari journey is best suited for guests in good health who are steady on their feet. Walking distances are not extensive, but terrain is often uneven, dusty and navigated in warm weather. You will frequently climb in and out of safari vehicles. On Day 8, travel includes a flight to Arusha aboard a small single- or twin-engine aircraft accommodating approximately 13–18 guests.

Game drives take place in shared safari vehicles with six window seats and pop-up roofs for wildlife viewing. Vehicles are not air-conditioned, and roads are typically unpaved, making for bumpy rides. Seating rotates throughout the journey to ensure a shared experience for all guests. While on safari, you will travel in smaller groups and may also use small bush planes or helicopters. For your safety, it is important to follow the guidance of your Tauck Director, local guides and rangers at all times. Please note that medical facilities in remote safari areas are limited.

Oxygen tanks, wheelchairs & motorized scooters:

• Oxygen tanks: Supplemental oxygen is strictly prohibited on many regional flights operated by small aircraft used during this journey.
• Wheelchairs & motorized scooters: Due to limited cargo capacity on small aircraft and safari vehicles, mobility devices cannot be transported.

Infrastructure in remote areas may present significant challenges for guests with mobility limitations. Tauck Directors are responsible for the group as a whole and are unable to provide individualized physical assistance. Guests who require personal assistance must travel with an able-bodied companion who can provide the necessary support.

Dietary requests:

All guests dine at Tauck-designated tables for included meals. While on safari, most meals are served buffet-style, reflecting the international nature of the lodges.

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country.  These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

Information regarding the Yellow Fever Vaccination:

Although Yellow Fever vaccination is not a Tauck requirement, guests are strongly advised to bring proof of vaccination or, if unable to receive the vaccine, a doctor's note explaining the reason. Please be aware that vaccination requirements can change, so staying up to date is essential. If you have been vaccinated, please bring your proof of vaccination, which can usually be obtained from your physician. If you cannot receive the vaccine due to age, medical conditions, or other reasons, please bring a medical exemption letter from your doctor explaining why the vaccine was not administered.

For the most up-to-date vaccination and health information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the embassies of the countries you will be visiting. These sources provide details on required vaccinations, recommended immunizations, and other potential health considerations.

We strongly encourage you to consult your personal physician at least four to six weeks prior to departure to review any required or recommended vaccinations, as some require time to become fully effective. Be sure to obtain written proof of any required immunizations and carry this documentation with your travel documents in your carry-on luggage.

Compliance with all vaccination and entry requirements is the responsibility of the traveler. Failure to obtain proper vaccinations or documentation may result in denied entry or quarantine, and Tauck cannot be responsible for any related expenses or travel disruptions.

Passport:

All U.S. citizens are required to show a valid passport to enter Tanzania. This passport must be valid for a minimum of six months beyond your entry date into Tanzania and must contain one (preferably two) blank page(s) for stamps.

If you are a U. S. citizen and do not have a valid passport, please contact the closest U.S. passport agency or consult the U.S. State Department website for detailed information on how to obtain or renew your passport.

Please Note: Although adult passports are valid for a full ten years, children's passports require renewal every five years. 

To help assist in your travels, we are required to obtain passport information for all guests visiting Tanzania. It is necessary for Tauck to provide the Tanzanian agency we work through with this information in advance of your journey's start date. If we do not receive your passport information at least 60 days before departure, it may cause delays in producing your tour documents. 

Your passport information can be submitted to Tauck through My Account. 

Visa:

U.S. citizens are also required to have a visa to enter Tanzania. Visas cannot be processed more than 3 months prior to departure. Once you've purchased yours, it is highly recommended that you print a copy before departing for Tanzania.

Click here to download a printable PDF with step-by-step instructions for applying for a Tanzanian visa.

What you will need to apply for a multiple-entry visa:

• A recent passport-size photo of the applicant
• A copy of the applicant's valid passport (biographic data page)
• A ticket for a return flight
• $100 USD visa fee

How to apply for a Tanzanian visa online:

• Visit the Immigration Services Website
• Click the "e-Services" button
• Click "Online Visa Application"

Information need to apply for a passport:

The point of entry into Tanzania is Arusha, Tanzania.

For contact details within Tanzania:

Kearsley Tanzania LTD
Zanaki Street PO Box 801
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Phone: +255 222 137 713
Email: tauck@kearsleys.tz

Kahawa House
Burka Road
Arusha, Tanzania
Phone: +255 27 297 0153
Email: nuria@twctanzania.com

If you are currently within the timeframe noted above, you may choose to work with VisaCentral (a visa-assistance provider) to obtain your visa, with another visa-assistance provider of your choosing, or by working directly with the Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate. 

If you have already begun working with a visa-assistance provider to obtain a visa for your upcoming Tauck journey, please continue to do so.

Non-U.S. citizens should check with the Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate to determine necessary travel documents.

Requirements to enter Zanzibar:

Officials in Zanzibar have recently imposed a new entry requirement: all foreign visitors must now purchase Zanzibar Travel Insurance prior to their arrival on the island. The insurance is mandatory regardless of whether guests carry other travel insurance.

The Zanzibar Travel Insurance coverage will last 92 days from the date in the application, and the cost is $44 per person. A small discount may be automatically applied if multiple people register together.

To apply for Zanzibar Travel Insurance, please visit their website and follow the steps in the instructions. Upon completion, you will receive a confirmation email with a QR code. Bring a printed copy of the confirmation email and QR code with you on tour.  

Strongly recommended: Bring at least two photocopies of all travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport containing the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.